Finding Cures for Cardiovascular Disease Through World-Class Medical Research 02 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 03

IMPACT REPORT 2019

Finding cures for cardiovascular disease through world-class medical research 02 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 03

For years the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute has Contents been Australia’s home of heart research. Since , the Institute has made an unshakeable contribution to the fight against About Us 4 Heart Disease Statistics 6 cardiovascular disease, and that PATIENT STORY SCAD Survivor 8 makes us overwhelmingly proud. Chairman’s Report 10 Executive Director’s Report 14 In we farewell our PATIENT STORY Cardiac Arrest Survivor 16 Organisational Structure 17 pioneering Executive Director, Board of Directors 18 Professor Bob Graham. 25 years of discovery 20 PROFILE Professor Bob Graham 24 Nevertheless, we are confident PROFILE Professor Diane Fatkin 34 that in Professor Jason Kovacic PROFILE Professor Livia Hool 38 Research Divisions Overview 42 we have a champion who will not Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Innovation Centre 44 only continue this legacy but take Sohn Hearts & Minds the Institute to the next level, as Investment Leaders Conference 46 Heart Health Checks 48 the new leader of the organisation. Statement of Income and Expenditure 49 Achievements and Awards 50 Fundraising Events 52 Supporters and Acknowledgments 54 This special 25th Anniversary edition is dedicated Support Life-Saving Heart Research 57 to you, our loyal supporters. After a quarter of a century, thanks to you, we’re only just getting started. Here’s to another 25 illustrious years! 04 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 05

About Us

Our Mission Our Statistics Australia’s home The relief of pain and suffering and the promotion of wellbeing, of heart research through an understanding

of the fundamental The Victor Chang Cardiac Research mechanisms of researchers and staff cardiovascular biology in Institute is dedicated to finding cures health and disease. for cardiovascular disease through

world class medical research. Our Values scientiﬁc publications

Excellence: to achieve excellence in research Solving the Our Research Unsolved Focus Creativity: to demonstrate creativity in the Renowned for the quality of its scientific pursuit of scientific discovery laboratories discoveries, the team at the Institute is HEART ATTACK working urgently to discover better ways of Integrity: HIGH CHOLESTEROL to act with honesty, integrity diagnosing, treating and preventing the onset and fairness at all times of heart disease. HEART TRANSPLANTATION With over 200 scientists and doctors working Impact: , to undertake research that has together across 21 laboratories, the Victor ARRHYTHMIA significant impact and makes people tested by our Heart Health Check team Chang Cardiac Research Institute has earned a difference its place on the global stage as one of the CARDIOMYOPATHY most respected medical research facilities in CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE Teamwork: the world. to promote a sense of teamwork and collegiality GENETIC ANALYSIS amongst staff and collaborators 06 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 07

Discovering why # Heart disease is the single biggest killer of Australians

Every minutes one Australian dies from cardiovascular disease

Three times more women die of x heart disease than breast cancer

Cardiovascular disease costs Australia billion annually billion

Each week babies die from congenital heart disease around the world 08 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 09

“As I did, the public thinks ‘heart attack’ and presumes the victim is an old, overweight man. No one would ever think that a 32-year-old woman At 32 Karlee was a fit, healthy, young would be having heart problems,” says Karlee. woman who adored living in the regional Karlee is committed to supporting scientists to town of Orange. understand more about the condition. She is now Country girl “I was born in the local hospital, went to taking part in Australia’s first research program into school down the road and grew up riding SCAD led by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research the streets with the same friends that Institute. “We need to learn more about this now meet me for a coffee.” Karlee counts disease. I’m just a young woman from Orange making a big herself very lucky. She is surrounded by but I’m super pleased to be making a difference family and has a job she loves, managing to global research and breakthroughs led by the the local service station. But one morning Institute.” As part of the program, blood samples she rose from bed feeling unwell which from SCAD patients are collected to analyse DNA. difference came as a surprise, “generally I don’t get Spearheading the project is Professor Bob Graham, sick. I jumped in the shower thinking I “we have been able to identify a genetic risk could shake it off but suddenly there was factor for SCAD, and we are the first in the world an excruciating pain in my chest.” to create stem cell lines from SCAD patients. This Three years ago on a cold Taking some deep breaths, she waited for allows us to investigate the underlying cause and morning in country NSW, the feeling to pass but it intensified. “It test therapeutics to see if we can prevent the SCAD felt like a horse had kicked me in the ribs, from occurring again, which it can, in up to 30% Karlee Jones started her I had never felt anything like it before. It of cases.” “But”, he adds, “we have a long way Sunday as she always did, slowly moved down my arms, a pressure to go.” and pain that transmitted all the way to As for Karlee, life has returned to normal in lying in bed with a coffee. my elbows.” She adds, “it was almost like country-town Orange, but with one big difference Unfortunately for Karlee a nasty heat that slowly expanded and - her contribution to medical research is now took over my upper half.” supporting women like her around the world. November was no Karlee called her Mum who immediately normal Sunday. raced to her daughter’s home. She found her daughter on the bed, conscious but pale, in shock and scared. The pair rushed to Orange Hospital. What is SCAD? Doctors automatically assumed Karlee was experiencing a simple panic attack, overwhelming anxiety that presented SCAD is a serious condition that results when as pain. Karlee challenged the clinicians an inner layer of one of the blood vessels that immediately. “I just knew I wasn’t worried feeds the heart - tears. Blood seeps between the or stressed about anything, I’m actually artery layers, causing the artery wall to bulge quite the opposite, probably too laid into the cavity, which can slow or block blood back!”. Days later Karlee was correctly flow to the heart, causing chest pain, a heart diagnosed. She had experienced a heart attack, abnormalities in heart rhythm or sudden attack and had a condition known as death. Interestingly, it affects mostly women with spontaneous coronary artery dissection 90-95% of SCAD patients being female, who are Karlee with her son Declan (SCAD). mostly around 40-50 years old and typically have few, if any, traditional cardiovascular risks. 10 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 11

A Message From The Chairman

It has been an enormous The Institute was established in 1994, in The second ingredient to the Institute’s long honour of Dr Victor Chang, a humanitarian term success has obviously been leadership. privilege to be the Chairman and pioneer of modern heart transplantation. How else could you build an Institute from a of the Victor Chang Cardiac According to those who knew him well, Dr handful of scientists into a world leading heart Chang was passionate about the power of research enterprise with over 200 scientists, Research Institute as we discovery and he had a bold vision to establish led by global leaders in their respective fields a world-class research institute, knowing that and responsible for some of the world’s most celebrate its th Anniversary. while he could save hundreds of lives through important breakthroughs in cardiovascular I am only the third Chairman in surgery, he could save thousands more research? through research. its -year history, following in And for that we are all very fortunate that Bob brought this vision to life, as a caring a young man by the name of Bob Graham, the footsteps of Steven Lowy AM clinician, a pioneer of molecular cardiology, who at the age of 45, decided to return home and above all else, a true leader who has after 17 years of working in the US at some and the founding Chairman the successfully fostered scientific excellence and of the most prestigious medical research Hon Neville Wran AC QC. innovation at the Institute for 25 years. organisations, under the tutelage of not one but two Nobel Laureates. Honouring and thanking Professor The longevity of my As many of you know, Bob is an amazing Robert Graham for his service to individual with extraordinary kindness and predecessors and my own the Institute and the community a razor like intellect across almost any field. commitment to the Institute can As a relative newcomer to the Institute, it He’s a pioneer of molecular cardiology and, didn’t take me long to recognise why the above all else, a true leader who, with an be attributed to one man, our Institute has enjoyed so much success over enormous generosity of spirit, has fostered such a long and sustained period. It really the development of so many scientists on the Founding Executive Director, world stage in cardiovascular research. Professor Robert Graham AO, came down to two key ingredients. First of all, the Institute has incredibly strong I have learnt so much from Bob in these past 6 who has been at the helm for the foundations. The Sisters of Charity setting the years and we have also had a lot of fun. So Bob thank you for that from me and my family. last years. mission with the full backing of St Vincent’s Hospital, strong underpinning from the State I know that so many of the Institute’s and Federal Governments, broad community supporters who have shared this wonderful support led by the Packer and Lowy families, journey feel the same about Bob. In recognition official openings led by Prime Ministers, of Bob’s achievements, we were very excited to Princess Diana and Princess Mary, formidable announce, at a celebration dinner at the Sydney governance led by former Premier the late Opera House, that the Institute is establishing Hon Neville Wran, with eminent directors an Endowment to fund the Robert M Graham including Steven Lowy and Mark Johnson, and Chair for Cardiovascular Research. finally, of course, the wonderful and incredible legacy of Dr Victor Chang to live up to. Chairman Matthew Grounds AM 12 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 13

The Robert M Graham Chair for Welcome to Our New Executive Director NSW Government Support Western Australia Cardiovascular Research Professor Jason Kovacic I would like to commend the NSW Government’s We co-hosted the State-of-the-Heart Dinner at Bistro Guillaume, The Endowed Chair will be held by the Executive Director Over the past 18 months a small sub-committee of the commitment to building capacity for cardiovascular Crown Perth with long term supporters, the Simon Lee Foundation. of the Institute. In the Board’s view, this is the best way to Board including David Craig and Annabel Spring, together research in the State with a commitment of $150million At the dinner we showcased some of the ground-breaking research both recognise the past, and also build for the future. The with an eminent scientific panel, including former head of over 10 years. being done at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and by our University of Western Australia-based Faculty-at-Large, Robert M Graham Chair will not only ensure that Bob’s the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the President Championed by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Professor Livia Hool. achievements and legacy are enshrined in the Chair’s name, of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor John Shine; Institute and the Heart Research Institute, the but will also provide critical on-going funding for the future WEHI Executive Director, Doug Hilton; former UNSW Cardiovascular Research Capacity Building Program is set Professor Hool has made an enormous impact on cardiovascular leadership of the Institute. Dean of Medicine, Professor Rodney Phillips; and leading to position NSW as the premier State in heart research. disease in WA. She is leading the way for the State to become a cardiologist and Harvard Medical School Associate Professor I am delighted that five of the Institute’s philanthropic Not only are we equipping some of the greatest minds centre of excellence for cardiovascular research, by spearheading Calum MacRae, worked with international executive search family partners have generously donated $1million each to with the financial support they need to help save lives, but the recent formation of the Western Australia Cardiovascular firm Perret Laver to identify candidates for the leadership of kick start the Endowment Fund for this Chair including The in the near future the Program will allow the recruitment Research Alliance, which brings together all of WA’s key the Institute. This process was extremely thorough. The sub- Douglass Family, The Lowy Family, the WA based Simon Lee of additional researchers to build capacity in cardiovascular cardiovascular researchers. committee interviewed a number of potential candidates research in NSW and, thus, to position the State at the Foundation, The Oatley Family and The Ritchie Family. We warmly thank the Trustees of the Simon Lee Foundation as from all over the world and I’m pleased to report that we global forefront of heart research. We were honoured that their vision to start the Endowment have found and appointed an extraordinary clinician and well as Mimi Wong and her family, for their continuing support of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. with $5million is also shared by several of our valued leader, Professor Jason Kovacic. Sohn Hearts & Minds Conference and HM supporters. This includes Mark and Sandra Johnson who Jason was most recently Professor of Medicine and Acting have made a $500k commitment, together with The Vidor We are extremely grateful to be the beneficiaries of The Institute Director of the Mount Sinai Cardiovascular Research Centre the fourth Sohn Hearts & Minds Investment Leaders Family, The Gutman Family and The Selig family who have 2019 has been a landmark year for the Institute and whilst in New York. We are extremely fortunate to have been able Conference, at which top fund managers from Australia also made very generous donations to the Fund that will we celebrate 25 years of scientific achievements, we must to lure Jason back from New York, where he is recognised and around the world share their best investment ideas serve as a legacy to honour the scientific excellence Bob has acknowledge that none of our successes would be possible without as a leading cardiologist and researcher at Mount Sinai in support of medical research. The conference goes from fostered in perpetuity. the dedication and contributions of our Board members. In Hospital. Jason is not a stranger to the Institute having strength to strength and has grown in popularity to the particular, I would like to thank David Craig, our Deputy Chairman The impact of Bob’s decision to retire as Executive Director completed his PhD with Bob whilst working at St Vincent’s point that this year the conference was also live streamed and Chairman of the Finance Committee for his wholehearted in early 2020 was softened by his desire to return to his Hospital. We have every confidence that Jason will be able to attendees from the Drama Theatre to the Playhouse at commitment to supporting the Institute in a wide variety of ways. laboratory full-time to focus on the vitally important to build on Bob’s legacy and we are very excited about what the Sydney Opera House. research he and his team are doing into SCAD (spontaneous the future holds for the Institute. I would like to express our gratitude to Director Angelos In its first year Hearts and Minds Investment Limited coronary artery dissection), together with the appointment Frangopoulos AM, who stepped off the Board this year after more (ASX:HM1) has performed strongly. HM1 was established of a new leader for the Institute, who has impeccable than a decade of service, for his exceptionally valuable contribution with support from the Institute and some of my fellow credentials to take the Institute to new heights. to the Institute, and also to Annabel Spring for her significant Directors including Hamish Douglass, Gary Weiss and David efforts since joining in 2017. Craig. It is one of the first ever listed investment funds which has, as one of its pillars, the generation of revenue I would also like to express deep appreciation to all our Board to benefit medical research, including at the Institute. The members and Faculty, whose single-minded devotion to the vision fund provides investors with exposure to approximately of the Institute is unwavering. 25 individual company investments selected by the fund Finally, whilst we have wonderful supporters like you, the need for managers who present at the conference, and by the six core philanthropic support of our cardiovascular researchers has never fund managers. The fund managers provide ideas pro bono been greater as they tackle the number one health problem in our and in lieu of management fees, the fund makes a donation community. Why don’t you join us and help our researchers solve to medical research, equal to 1.5% of the fund, annually. the unsolved at Australia’s home of heart research? My sincere thanks to all the participating fund managers and in particular the core fund managers; Caledonia Investments, Cooper Investors, Magellan Financial Group, Paradice Investment Management, Regal Funds Management and The Foundation donors to the TDM Growth Partners together with the board of HM1, all Robert M Graham Chair at the AM th Anniversary dinner. of whom are generously donating their services. Matthew Grounds CHAIRMAN 14 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 15

Executive Director’s Report 2019

It is with a sense of sadness but Chairman, Mathew Grounds, as well as many others for this recognition that Professor Sally Dunwoodie received with stringent international hunt, our search committee, lead so wonderful function. her 2018 grants being named the top ranked National ably by Matthew Grounds and, particularly, by our Deputy also excitement for the future Health and Medical Research Project Grants for that year. Chairman David Craig, selected Jason Kovacic. As a highly- The year was marked with many other memorable In addition, Sally was elected a Fellow of the Australian respected cardiologist and researcher, with enormous moments and it was another productive year of discoveries that I write this message. Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, while Professor leadership skills and great interpersonal strength, Jason is for the Institute. Publication highlights for 2019 featured Livia Hool, our Faculty-at-Large at the University of extraordinarily qualified to not only head the Institute but, the ground-breaking “chemical sleuthing” by Professor Western Australia was the recipient of the 2019 Research importantly, to take it to the next level. I very much look As many of you now know, I Roland Stocker’s laboratory. Working with a number of Achievement Award from the International Society for forward to working with Jason and all of my colleagues at collaborators around the world, this work, published in the shall be stepping down as the Heart Research World Council. the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute as I continue journal, Nature, reported on the discovery of an entirely my research and clinical practice. inaugural Executive Director novel chemical that is abundantly produced in people with Other major events in 2019 included the Heart of Gold of the Victor Chang Cardiac severe infections. Made from the amino acid, tryptophan, Ball that was hosted by the Riccio Family including Mark the chemical causes profound dilatation of blood vessels, Vincent; the Bay Soiree hosted by our wonderful Young Research Institute in March, which results in marked falls in blood pressure; a condition Appeals Committee and chaired by Jonathan Henry; , almost exactly years known as septic shock that affects over 18,000 Australians the Heart of the West Ball at Club Marconi; the Women every year and that, even today, causes death in up to 25% Against Heart Disease Luncheon in partnership with the since we started, so this will be of victims. This landmark discovery provides promise for the Commonwealth Private Bank; another very successful future development of treatments for septic shock. Hearts and Minds Investment Leaders Conference; the Glen Professor Robert M. Graham AO my last Annual Report. Carling Golf Day hosted by Gemma Carling and her family Other major discoveries included the elucidation of EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR and friends; and the Des Renford Charity Gala Day hosted the first genomic marker for spontaneous coronary by Michael Renford and Randwick Council. artery dissection, an increasingly recognised cause of a heart attack, particularly in women, most of whom are Finally, let me take this opportunity to welcome, Professor It’s been an enormous honour and privilege to lead the relatively young and have few traditional risk factors. This Jason Kovacic, who will be taking over from me as Institute over that time. I want to take this opportunity to study, reported in the Journal of the American College Executive Director in early 2020. I am delighted that after a thank not only my Faculty, Staff, Board and Patrons for their of Cardiology, involved an international collaborative support and guidance, but also our colleagues at UNSW effort between groups in the UK, France, the US and at Sydney and St Vincent’s Hospital; our many collaborators the Institute. both national and international; the Sisters of Charity, whose human kindness is simply without equal; all of our I am very proud to see that our homegrown, world-first many supporters—you are all just such wonderful, amazing advance in heart transplantation, pioneered by Professors people— and, particularly, our patients, who provide the Peter Macdonald and Kumud Dhital, is now being used at inspiration for our work. It’s been an extraordinary journey numerous centres around the globe, including in the UK, for me and my family, so a great big thank you to all who Belgium, Austria as well as the Massachusetts General have made this time so positive, productive and rewarding. Hospital and Duke University Medical Centre in the US. Peter and Kumud discovered how to revitalise a donor heart In 2019, we celebrated a major milestone - the Institute’s after it had stopped beating before transplanting it into a 25th Anniversary - with a gala dinner at the Sydney severely ill person. This advance will increase the number Opera House. Given that I will be stepping down as the of heart transplants performed worldwide by about 30%, Executive Director, it featured a very humbling tribute to giving new life to hundreds of heart disease sufferers. my leadership of the Institute since its inception in 1994. It was particularly lovely to have my family by my side at The achievements of our researchers were recognised this event and I must convey my most sincere thanks to by a spate of awards and honours both to our Faculty the Director of Fund Development, Ariane Gallop and our and trainees. In particular, I would like to highlight the 16 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 17

Karen and Colin with their children Organisational Structure

Committee

Finance and Risk “I was so heavily pregnant CHAIR Member Board of Directors David Craig that I didn’t think I could St Vincent’s CHAIRMAN perform CPR. But with the Health Australia Matthew Grounds AM CHAIR Paul Robertson AO man you love dying in front DEPUTY CHAIRMAN of you, and carrying his child, David Craig Saving a Afﬁliation it is the biggest motivator Scientific UNSW Sydney you can ever imagine,” Advisory Board broken Karen explains. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 1994-2020 Professor Robert Graham AO DEPUTY DIRECTORS heart Professor Richard Harvey AM Research Divisions Victor Chang Professor Jamie Vandenberg Cardiac Research It was Australia Day and Colin Cardiac Physiology and Transplantation Institute and his heavily pregnant partner, Karen managed to drag Colin onto the ground Innovation Centre and performed effective CPR for nearly fourteen HEAD were in their apartment when Professor Peter Macdonald AM minutes until paramedics arrived. “I would have DIRECTOR Colin started to feel “quite funny”. DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & BUSINESS Professor Sally Dunwoodie done it until I collapsed.” DEVELOPMENT Developmental and The next thing he remembers was Georgia Hinton Stem Cell Biology DEPUTY DIRECTOR Karen’s actions saved Colin’s life. Three weeks later Dr Adam Hill waking up in hospital to discover HEAD on the 17th of February, Karen gave birth to a little CENTRE MANAGER Administration and Core Facilities Professor Richard Harvey AM he had suffered a cardiac arrest girl named Juliet. Remarkably Colin was out of Johanna Barclay • Essential Services and his pregnant partner had just hospital and by her side. Molecular Cardiology • Finance and Biophysics saved his life. Following this near-fatal incident, Colin is now • Governance and Policy • Grants HEAD determined to raise awareness of heart disease. Professor Robert Graham AO He knows that without medical research and • Human Resources • Information Technology outstanding medical care he would not be here to Molecular, Structural and • Workplace Health & Safety enjoy life today. Computational Biology The “healthy” father had just returned from the HEAD gym, so he wasn’t particularly worried when he “A lot of men are reluctant to admit something is Dr Alastair Stewart started getting “heartburn” with an odd sensation wrong because they see it as a sign of weakness. Vascular Biology in his left arm. “I took some Panadol and lay on the We are not bulletproof, it can happen to anyone,” HEAD Western Australia couch,” Colin recalls. says Colin. DIRECTOR OF FUND DEVELOPMENT Ariane Gallop Professor Roland Stocker Cardiovascular Karen decided to take his pulse, which appeared For her heroism, Karen was awarded a Victor Electrophysiology Fund Development relatively steady and strong but “ten minutes later Chang Heart of Gold Award which honours Laboratory Colin became really stiff and looked like he was members of the community who have gone above • Bequests HEAD having a seizure.” Karen put him into the recovery and beyond to save the life of someone in cardiac • Corporate Partnerships Professor Livia Hool position on the couch and dialled Triple Zero. The peril. The medals acknowledge absolute courage • Direct Marketing call taker instructed her to get Colin onto the ﬂoor. when every second counts. • Events • Heart Health Checks • Media and Communications • Philanthropy 18 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 19

SHANGJIN (JIN) LIN AM ANGELOS FRANGOPOULOS AM “The heart is where life starts. Board of “It’s impossible not to The work that the Victor Chang be impressed by the depth Cardiac Research Institute DR GARY WEISS AM of talent that makes up the does is world class and critical “Cardiovascular disease is a major Directors Institute’s researchers. Their in helping to mitigate one of cause of death in Australia, scientific work is truly world Australia’s biggest killers – heart and one of our largest health class, and would make Victor disease.” problems. Our Institute provides Chang very proud of his legacy.” TERRY CAMPBELL AM first-class medical research with groundbreaking results. From The successful operations “The great thing about MATTHEW GROUNDS AM this research, we also strive to independent medical research of the Victor Chang CHAIRMAN give all Australians the tools facilities such as the Victor Cardiac Research Institute “Heart disease is the leading to maintain good heart health Chang Cardiac Research cause of death for both men and and thus prevent cardiovascular are heavily reliant on the Institute is that they attract top women in Australia, with 1 in 5 disease.” dedication, commitment research talent because, unlike Australians currently suffering universities, they are dedicated HAMISH DOUGLASS AM and vision provided by from some form of heart disease. LOUISE DI FRANCESCO entirely to research at the our Board of Directors, led Our researchers at the Institute “My father was incredibly highest levels.” by Mr Matthew Grounds. are at the global forefront of “The vital work done by the lucky to have received a making new discoveries that Victor Chang Cardiac Research heart transplant in 1990 at help the significant populations Institute scientists, who year St Vincent’s hospital, which around the world who suffer after year strive to change extended his life by 16 years. ANNABEL SPRING AM from cardiovascular disease.” the medical landscape with My family has experienced exciting new discoveries, make a first-hand from the benefits of “Heart disease is the leading difference not just nationally but breakthrough cardiac research.” cause of death for all Australians. globally.” Already the research results of JOHN KEAN OAM the Institute are helping prevent “One of my heroes, birth defects, inherited heart Neil Armstrong, described diseases and heart attacks.” research as creating new DAVID CRAIG knowledge. In the case of the DEPUTY CHAIRMAN Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, using this knowledge is “We have assembled a world- JENNIFER DOUBELL OAM PETER K ALLEN helping solve heart disease.” class team of scientists “The Victor Chang Cardiac ROBERT M GRAHAM AO “The Institute’s medical research and doctors to address Research Institute is host to EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR breakthroughs save lives. This Australia’s number one killer – some of the world’s brightest “Regrettably, almost everyone is an extraordinary outcome, LESLIE FIELD AM cardiovascular disease.” minds in cardiac research. has been touched by someone yet given the prevalence of We’re fortunate in Australia “The Institute brings together who has died of heart disease. cardiovascular disease globally, to have such a powerhouse the best minds in cardiovascular Despite great progress, heart the Institute’s world-class focused on finding better ways research and the hands-on disease remains amongst our research and mission to promote clinical care of real patients. The of preventing, detecting and leading killers. We still have well-being is more important research teams are passionate treating cardiovascular disease, much work to do, and we need than ever.” in their pursuit for a better your help.” addressing one of the greatest understanding of the complex burdens in our community.” causes of cardiac disease.” 20 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 21

Our scientists discovered that In another world first, our Our scientists identified and The Victor Chang Cardiac Research zebrafish have a special type of scientists developed a faster, more characterised a new population of Institute discovered that a new drug immune cell which enables them reliable way of diagnosing patients stem cells in the adult heart. treatment can slow the progression of to heal their own hearts. The at risk of sudden cardiac death by pulmonary arterial hypertension – a Our Groundbreaking Victor Chang Cardiac Research simulating hundreds of thousands serious and progressive disease. Institute is now exploring the of heart beats in a virtual heart. Discoveries Over Years potential of self-healing in humans.

Our breakthrough discovery revealed how the tiny motors on Overturning a century of scientific bacteria allow them to move towards Our scientists discovered the entire dogma, we discovered that the nutrients and away from toxins. cellular machinery underlying growth heart can regenerate in pre- In a blockbuster breakthrough This is crucial to understanding the and enlargement of skeletal muscle. adolescents, which potentially that could change the way spread of infections, such as those The Victor Chang means a heart could heal itself. pregnant women are cared causing serious heart conditions. Cardiac Research for globally, our researchers Institute has made discovered that vitamin B3 has the potential to reduce recurrent a multitude of major miscarriages and various birth In a landmark breakthrough defects. advances, many we discovered a molecule that revolutionising our causes blood vessels to dilate Ground-breaking research at the and can lead to dangerously Thanks to our scientists, an Institute revealed an enzyme, entire family is cured of a life Our scientists showed that the diet previously only associated with understanding of low blood pressure in patients threatening, inherited heart of pregnant mothers can affect the clotting, actually has many functions suffering from severe sepsis, disease causation, rhythm disorder. Some family health of their children and even and, uniquely, can also regulate how a syndrome which kills 100 members had such severe heart their grandchildren. vigorously our hearts can beat. mechanisms and Australians each week. failure they were on the transplant medical treatment. waiting list. Our professors were involved in the world first transplantation of Here are just a few a heart that had been revitalised examples of what we after it had stopped beating. have achieved in the This discovery has enabled the lives of 30% more patients with fight against heart severe heart failure to be saved. In a world first, our scientists For the first time the Institute disease. developed an ‘early warning Our researchers made a proved diseases can be caused system’ to help identify and fundamental discovery that not only by a defective gene treat people at high risk of heart showed for the first time how (mutation), but by an inherited attack – and potentially prevent ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ interact to defect in the expression of a gene it from occurring. cause birth defects. (an epimutation). 22 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 23

I think what’s unique about Bob is his Celebrating breadth of knowledge. Bob often says imagine the unimaginable, and he really years of Professor means it. Not only does he mean it, he’s actually dedicated his life to trying to make it happen. Bob Graham In 2020 we farewell our pioneering Prof Jamie Vandenberg Executive Director, Professor Bob Graham. Here are some of the heartfelt I think Bob inspires you to pursue the best you can. I think he brings a discipline to sentiments that Bob’s colleagues far and his colleagues of how you can achieve a wide, old and new, shared with us to goal, and he’s extremely caring. mark the 25th Anniversary. Bob has been a very kind and generous Dr Nisha Nanda boss. I feel very much that I’ve worked with him, not for him. And it’s been an He has always been incredibly dedicated absolute pleasure. to the mission of establishing the Bob has three greatest achievements. Number Heather Nobbs Institute. I’ve never seen someone so one, great kids, great family. Number two, what single-mindedly applying themselves to a

he’s achieved in the Institute over the years. And task and bring something so complicated Bob really is an incredibly humble guy. number three, the fact that he’s been able to do all and difﬁcult into being. “ It’s not until you get to know him that this with such good humour and good grace. you realise he’s completely brilliant. I Prof Peter Currie Dr Andrew Owens mean his intelligence, his creativeness, his imagination, his leadership is incredible. One of Bob’s hallmarks is his Dr John Hwa “ I am proud to have Bob as my friend. generosity of spirit and willingness ” He plays down his importance, but in all He’s done wonders with the Institute. to support others in their parts of the world Bob is respected and He’s made it from the beginning endeavours and success. renowned for his hunger for knowledge, his brilliant leadership and for his to the top echelon of all institute’s Mr Matthew Grounds humanity and kindness. around the world. Mr John Kean Sir Frank Lowy Bob will never change. He’ll always ﬁght for cardiovascular research and in 10 years’ time, he’ll I don’t think there’s any question that still be doing the same thing. Knocking on doors, Bob’s legacy will be the stability and trying to raise funds to improve the care ongoing success of the Victor Chang Without Bob, there would be no Victor Chang of patients. Cardiac Research Institute. Cardiac Research Institute. Prof Chris Semsarian Prof John Rasko Mr Peter Joseph

What is unique about Bob is his combination of When you take on something from Bob’s own individual science is exquisite, and gravitas, common sense and humour. He always scratch, it’s usually a bit of a gamble. But he does a magniﬁcent job at anything he turns allows others to shine. That’s the mark of a with him, there was always conﬁdence his hand to. It’s his intellect, authenticity and fantastic leader. that it would happen. compassion that sets him apart. Prof David Celemajer Mr Kerry James Prof Richard Harvey 24 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 25 Heart & Soul A tribute to Professor Bob Graham

When you’re traveling in a royal motorcade the traffic lights are always green. This random thought suddenly occurred to Professor Bob Graham as he sped along a Sydney street sitting in a darkened car next to Diana, Princess of Wales. Belatedly he realises; It’s not every day you head to the airport to pick up a Princess... 26 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 27

In his 25 years as the founding Executive Director colleagues, Nobel Prize-winning-friends and of Victor was Bob’s boss. According to Bob, this was of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, course, grandchildren. “long before Victor was famous.” But even then, there would be times that raced by with the there was something unique about the way Victor Suspended above the photo collection are six speed and excitement of a Royal motorcade. And saw the world and the way he cared for people. timber cupboard doors which conceal heavy there’d be other times when the road ahead was textbooks on anatomy, physics, English grammar Other than discussing patients, Bob and Victor unforgiving, marked with stop signs, detours and and non-fiction stories. The little library is like a had fairly limited interaction. But what they would dead ends. glimpse inside Bob’s brain – full of knowledge, share in common was the impact they had on In 1996, Princess Diana was the Guest of Honour gravitas and compassion. people’s everyday lives. at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute’s “He really is a walking encyclopedia,” his longtime Royal Ball, and Bob was her host. After the friend and Institute Board Member John Kean will extravagant black-tie event, the Princess personally tell you. “He has a hunger for knowledge well With Victor’s tragic passing, invited Bob and his children to her Double beyond science. I’d say he’s more gifted than the a worldwide search began to Bay hotel room for a pot of tea. Paparazzi in rest of us, mere mortals.” select an Executive Director helicopters whined outside the window, unaware that this would be the last time Her Royal Highness The very same word was often used to describe Dr to build a research institute would publicly visit Australia. Victor Chang – “gifted”. named after an Australian hero. A yellowing photo of this rare moment still sits Bob was working in the United States when he was It was more than just finding behind Bob’s desk in his office. The dusty frame informed of the tragedy. It was a horrible shock. someone who could do the job. is competing for space, and the Princess is barely In the early seventies, the pair had briefly worked You had to be worthy of this recognizable behind images of former students, together at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, where great honour.

At the time, Bob had clocked up 17 “stellar” years building an envious career in the United States, working at Harvard Medical School, training under a Nobel Laureate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, before leading a large laboratory at the Cleveland Clinic. On weekends he went heliskiing with friends. Life was undeniably good. But the chance to start an institute from scratch back home – well, that was too tempting to turn down. “It’s one thing to have the aspiration, it’s another thing to actually execute. But with Bob there Prof Bob Graham with a portrait of Dr Victor Chang in was never any doubt, he was the total package,” says Peter Joseph, a former Director at St Vincent’s Hospital.

Back then, the calibre of scientiﬁc talent was in “He brought me in for an interview and I said to stark contrast to the place where they worked myself, ‘Bob, you’ve got to be kidding.’ But before – a pokey, dishevelled demountable in a dirty long I saw he had an exquisite sense of potential, carpark. But not in Bob’s eyes. With great pride, a profound understanding of building a family, heavyweight recruitment prospects were given combined with a deep appreciation for biology. the “grand tour” of the makeshift laboratory. I was charmed over lunch and he convinced me Professor Richard Harvey, co-Deputy Director of that my future was better here at the Institute The Hon Neville Wran with Diana, Princess of Wales the Institute, thought it was a joke. rather than anywhere else.” and Prof Bob Graham in 28 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 29

Prof Bob Graham with Mr Steven Lowy and Mr Matthew Grounds in

Philanthropist, Chuck Feeney, was a little more subtle. In 2005 Bob traveled to San Francisco to “He’s a leader, a humanist, a persuade him to finance the construction of a purpose-built heart research headquarters. world-class clinician, a renowned scientist, and a bloody good guy,” “I was thanking Chuck for his time, and he had explains Mr Lowy. just turned to walk away when he said: ‘Oh, by the way, you can have the $20 million to build your research centre’. He said it so casually,” Bob recalls. Current Chairman Matthew In a blink the bulldozers were on site, the tower Grounds emphatically agrees. rose up, the scaffolding came down and Her Royal “The reality is, over the past Highness Princess Mary arrived in Sydney to cut years I don’t think there’s any the ribbon - officially opening the new research other Australian who’s done more complex: The Lowy Packer Building. for heart research than Professor To this day, Sir Frank Lowy and Professor Bob Bob Graham.” Graham are dear friends. Mr Steven Lowy was Chairman of the Institute’s Former Deputy Director Prof Ahsan Husain Let’s pause a moment to let that statement sink in. Charles Homcy MD first met Bob in 1980 at and Prof Bob Graham in ¢ Board for six years. He took the reins from former In a quarter of a century it’s widely believed that Massachusetts General Hospital. They’ve been NSW Premier Neville Wran, before handing not a single person in the country has championed confidants and collaborators ever since. them to Mr Matthew Grounds, then CEO of UBS the fight against heart disease as successfully as Australasia. “Oh, I think he’s had a big footprint on heart Bob Graham. research, my God! Just building the Victor Chang Bob has formed enduring friendships with all Colleagues near and far, old and new, join in Cardiac Research Institute… what a wonderful Long before the ten-storey Lowy three Chairmen. He speaks of their outstanding the applause. body of work. A real magnum opus, an enduring contributions in equal measure, but their Packer Building was constructed institution. That by far is a remarkable achievement,” admiration for Bob is as intoxicating as the fireside Bob had already seen it. This says Dr Homcy. Scotch they’ve shared. was more than just a dream, With high praise like that, a lesser man would find his it was practically a prophecy. humility challenged. Magnetised by Bob’s vision, some Prof Bob Graham at the “I think it’s rare to have a leader whose ego is of the best scientific minds in the Institute’s th Anniversary Celebration very much under control,” explains Professor Sally world were captivated one by one. Dunwoodie who has worked with Bob for 20 years.

Among them was former Deputy Director, “With Bob you get the constant Professor Ahsan Husain. impression he’s not in it for himself, “I was truly impressed by how little he he’s in it for everyone else.” actually had,” Professor Husain recalls. “But as unimpressed as I was with the lab, I was very impressed with Bob’s idea to build a centre full of Over and over Bob demonstrates his genuine scientiﬁc athletes.” modesty and fundamental care for his colleagues, Now all Bob needed was funding. Lots of it. his patients and total strangers. In 2014 a gardener was working at the Institute when he suddenly In the early 1990s when Kerry Packer was asked suffered a cardiac arrest right in front of the statue of for $3million to help establish the Institute he Victor Chang. famously replied “Jesus, that’s a big ask! Isn’t there any other bastard out there?”. 30 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 31

Bob, a father of four, did his best to ensure this didn’t impact his homelife. According to his daughter Caitlin, while he’d often work late into the night, on weekends he was at home cooking crepes and schnitzel, teaching her how to ride a bike or building the latest jungle gym.

“We saw a different side of him

Bob with his father at home, he’s a silly, fun, pretty Gunther and older sister Monica in the dorky dad who sends us the s lamest dad jokes. But he has always had high expectations of us. From a young age I was very aware of how much he believed in me.”

Much like a Royal motorcade, the traffic lights are Bob’s parents, Erica and Gunther Graham, had “What will stick with me forever always green when you’re traveling in the back of a speeding ambulance too. Only that time Bob was extremely high expectations of their son too. was how Bob immediately took too exhausted and focused to notice. Gunther grew up in Eastern Germany in a little over, got down on his hands and town called Breslau. Perhaps it was this moment that provided the knees and started resuscitating morbid inspiration to forge a Herculean career in “Both my parents had to flee because of Hitler,” him. He saved the life of this heart disease. Or perhaps Bob was thinking of the Bob explains. “My father was actually in a guy, and he did it with such style mum he couldn’t save in the quiet moments late at concentration camp for three months before he and commitment,” Professor night as he put the finishing touches on one of his got out and fled to England. It was right before the Harvey recalls. 284 scientific research papers (and counting). Holocaust in 1937 and 1938, this was even before the prisoners received tattoos in the camps. My He keeps an exact tally. Research paper number dad was a strapping, big guy who played goalie 173 overturned more than a century of scientific for the state in soccer and they made him dig Moments like that stay with you. dogma. Previously, it was widely accepted that the latrines for the camps. He escaped, but dad’s heart muscle cells in mammals stopped replicating In the early seventies Bob was working at a hospital parents succumbed and so did my mother’s side of shortly after birth. Bob put a blowtorch to the in rural New Zealand as a medical student. During the family too.” theory and proved the heart has the remarkable one of Bob’s shifts, a young mother who had just potential to heal itself. The discovery was widely In 1938 Erica and Gunther arrived in Australia as given birth, suddenly went into cardiac arrest. celebrated and published in the prestigious migrant refugees with hardship in their eyes and a A senior doctor picked up a gigantic needle of journal, Cell. determination in their hearts that would inevitably adrenalin and told Bob to plunge it into the middle be passed onto their children. of her heart. He hesitated then stabbed. The “His work ethic is unbelievable,” says former injection was meant to shock her heart back to life, colleague Professor Andrew Owens. “You Few people realise Bob drove taxis to pay his Prof Bob Graham with his daughter Caitlin on her only it didn’t work. So they bundled her into an could never imagine the amount of hours he way through medical school. Even fewer would wedding day ambulance and they headed for a larger hospital spends doing the hard yards. Lots of scientists be aware of the wild months he spent working in Auckland. For 45 agonising minutes as the are hardworking, you have to be. But Bob is at a hospital in remote Papua New Guinea, ambulance screamed through the countryside, Bob ferociously hardworking.” treating cannibals with exotic diseases, surviving pumped the woman’s chest with all his might. The an earthquake, and battling a plague of a new mother was dead by the time they reached the billion locusts. city. She never got to hold her baby in her arms. 32 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 33

Scratch the surface and you’ll find many similarities But that’s a story for another time. This story is And as he packs, a painted portrait of Victor between Bob and his successor, Professor Jason dedicated to celebrating the man who has done Chang hangs high on the wall watching over. It’s Kovacic. As Cardiologists, they both spent several more to combat heart disease than any other the only physical possession Bob will leave behind. fruitful years working at hospitals and laboratories person in Australia. After all there’s something far greater he’ll bestow across the United States. Both have European With a worthy replacement ready, Bob feels it is to his successor. Something you can’t touch or heritage, refugee parents and speak fluent German. time to move back to the laboratory. hold in your hands. And something you can’t They also share a love of skiing, cycling, onion rings, capture in a simple photograph. A legacy. and astronomy, and believe it or not, they even Bob has cleaned out the bottom draw of his desk started working at the Institute on the exact same already. The faded photo of Princess Diana won’t day 25 years apart. even be bubble wrapped before it goes into the moving box. They share an uncanny personal connection that seems to have been cast by destiny, a true master and apprentice tale. The pair first crossed paths back in 2002. Kovacic was interested in doing a PhD under Bob’s tutelage. Prof Bob Graham with incoming Executive Director “I went to Bob with a head full of crazy ideas about Prof Jason Kovacic what I wanted to research and Bob said, ‘well, you can win the Nobel Prize later but right now I think this is a better idea for a PhD topic.’ It was some of the best Prof Bob Graham with former PhD student advice he ever gave me,” Professor Kovacic laughs. Jason Kovacic in He completed his PhD in 2007 with Bob by his side. A photograph was taken at the time, without any It’s a long way from his office at the Victor Chang awareness of its future relevance or significance – an Cardiac Research Institute in downtown Sydney. image of a master and his apprentice looking with a In the centre of the room, paperwork cocoons his mutual eye towards the future. computer. To his right in the corner are two golf As the baton is passed, we are at the commencement balls and a putter. In the other corner are some of a new era, where Professor Kovacic will no doubt empty cardboard boxes. The boxes seem out of be eager to put his own personal stamp on the future place and [Author’s note] I wish they were. Bob is direction of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research starting to pack up his office. After 25 spectacular Institute. years as Executive Director, he’s decided it’s time to move on and focus on his true passion, the research. Time and again Professor Kovacic has proven himself to be a gifted leader. At Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine in New For the first time in years York, he established a world leading laboratory another worldwide recruitment focused on cardiovascular cell biology, while caring search has been underway, with for patients with fibromuscular dysplasia and spontaneous coronary artery dissection. only an elite few shortlisted for the role. And just as it was back Previously, Professor Kovacic was also a champion in , to fill such big shoes you athlete who rowed alongside Australian Olympic Royalty, the Oarsome Foursome. And, incredibly, have to be worthy of this great he was the medical doctor on tour with the Rolling honour. Stones, personally treating Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. 34 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 35

On a quiet Saturday morning, Professor Diane Fatkin is elbow deep in mulch, tending to her garden after climbing a staggering 950 metres up Mt Solitary in the Blue Mountains. She is a long way from her world leading laboratory that investigates how genes can cause heart disease in families.

“I find a lot of inspiration from being in my garden and exploring the outdoors. The space helps my mind rest and allows me to think outside the box and consider new ways to approach problems. There’s a lot of science in gardening - understanding elements, mixing chemicals, finding balance.” “We know every hiking trail in the Blue Mountains. My partner and I have systematically walked most of the trails in our area. You can’t help but be inspired by the wild Australian bush and we are always keen to cover new ground. It Diane’s enriches our lives,” Diane explains. From the valleys of the Blue Mountains to the snowcapped peaks of the Swiss Alps, it’s clear Prof Fatkin at the top of the Jungfrau in Switzerland Diane feels most at home on a hiking trail and in the laboratory. DNA In the year 2000, Diane set up her first laboratory at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, under the guidance of Professor Bob Graham. Hiking, Gardening and According to Diane it was “the Golden Age of “ molecular genetics.” Like a good gardener, Molecular Genetics She had just completed her post-doctoral a scientist learns a lot fellowship with globally renowned researchers, from watching nature, Professors Christine and Jon Seidman at Harvard Medical School. This dynamic husband and wife from seeing what duo discovered the world’s first gene mutation for occurs naturally and inherited heart disease - a pinnacle breakthrough using this knowledge to that left Diane transfixed. help solve problems. It’s “The Seidmans really drove me to see the power of genetics, the importance of understanding a lot of trial and error DNA and how this knowledge can ultimately before a breakthrough.” improve the lives and outcomes of those living with chronic heart disease.” 36 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 37

Originally a clinical cardiologist, she shifted to “We can now analyse the DNA of younger research, knowing her genetic studies could generations from these families and accurately potentially benefit more patients than just those predict who has an increased risk of developing she had the time to treat. But it wasn’t her first disease in the future.” career change. Diane also stepped away from Early detection of family members at risk will enable medicine for two years to pursue a career in early treatment, reducing the severity of the disease contemporary dancing. and possibly even preventing onset altogether.” “I adored the dancefloor but it was never a long Interestingly, it’s a tiny tropical fish called a zebrafish term option for me. I could see my career was very that’s helping Diane and her team uncover answers. limited and whilst I could play a role in helping Scientists study zebrafish because their hearts people enjoy the theatre, I had the opportunity to pump at a similar rate to humans, their embryos help more in the lab, my true passion.” are transparent so scientists can see the inner Twenty years on and Diane still leads a team of workings of the heart, and their genetic make-up is eight scientists who are committed to understanding surprisingly very similar to humans. how genetic mutations cause heart disease. And she “In addition, we can look at the effects of the is making headway too. environment on heart disease, or see what The Fatkin laboratory focuses on two of the most medication and treatments work best. We even common types of inherited heart problems: dilated have echocardiograms and exercise testing we can cardiomyopathy, which causes the heart to enlarge conduct non-invasively on their tiny hearts, just and weaken; and atrial fibrillation, an electrical like humans.” problem with the heart. Both conditions can cause It’s an incredible program providing valuable heart failure and stroke. knowledge, but it requires critical funding to ensure Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy often its continued operation. That’s just one of the don’t develop until adulthood. Which means a challenges the year ahead presents for Diane and baby born with the inherited condition can seem her team, who are calling for additional support to perfectly healthy until adult life. Heart function can continue their life-saving research. deteriorate at any stage and result in heart failure. “We would like to offer whole genome sequencing to more patients and their families but it’s “In the past, treating the disease enormously labor intensive. We need more staff once symptoms start has simply to review data and more clinical hands to conduct testing on patients.” been too late. But if we could prevent the symptoms and the When asked what her ultimate dream would be disease developing in the first if she had deeper pockets, her eyes light up. “We Prof Fatkin with her laboratory members envisage a future where all patients have their place – well now that’s something entire genetic make-up analysed and we can really special. It’s even better than study genetic mutations in the laboratory using a a cure.” 3D-cardiac organoid.” In other words, Diane wants to study genetics in a Diane is certain this is only possible through early miniature, human heart that’s living and breathing genetic screening. in a petri dish. It’s not a futuristic fantasy – the technology already exists and Diane is once “We have reviewed the DNA of thousands of again transfixed. patients and found the exact genetic mutation that is causing disease in many families. It is As for Diane’s garden, like her laboratory, with hard incredibly valuable. work it will continue to flourish. Prof Fatkin with colleague Dr Inken Martin 38 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 39

For anyone who knows Professor Livia Hool, the move to Western Australia came as no surprise. Her constant hunger to try something new, her confidence to give something a go, and her quest for answers led her to the opposite side of the country, where the young family knew just one distant cousin. “I saw an opportunity. I would be the only cardiovascular electrophysiologist to set up a lab in Western Australia. I was ready to build my own identity and establish myself.” Prof Hool adds, “I wanted to lead my own work and WA gave me the chance to do just that.” It’s this leadership that has continued to drive Livia. Head Girl in her graduating year at high school, she says, “I had a challenging year as Head Girl because my father died of a brain tumor in Year 12 and I had to develop strategies to remain emotionally strong while leading the prefectship and navigating the academic year. The Principal was incredibly supportive and had full confidence entrusting these Prof Livia Hool with her family in When responsibilities in me. I felt privileged to hold the position and I learnt a lot.” But despite her natural propensity to lead, after just four short weeks in Perth, Livia and her husband leadership is almost gave up and returned home to their family in Sydney. Institutional bureaucracy and limited support led to delays and doubts as to whether it would be possible to establish a functional laboratory. She was in the blood also continuously asked why she wanted to start her own laboratory after only two years postdoctoral research, as most lab directors typically had double Livia’s experience. To that, she smiles and replies “I enjoyed the challenge.” Twenty-one years ago, a young Livia’s first project in WA was funded by the scientist and her husband travelled National Health and Medical Research Council 4,000 kilometers from Sydney to start and investigated how the heart senses changes in a new life in Perth. It was the turning oxygen levels. “Since my earliest days I have been intrigued by the workings of the heart, it is truly a point not just for the family, but also fascinating organ.” Her early papers as single author for heart research in Western Australia. in the prestigious journal, Circulation Research, were testament to her ability to establish and drive the

research as a single investigator. Prof Livia Hool at Cottesloe Beach in WA Two decades later and Livia heads up the position of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Faculty- 40 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 41

About Livia’s research

Prof Hool with her laboratory members Professor Hool currently leads a team of twelve talented researchers. Her research focuses on the role of calcium in the heart. Calcium channels play a central part in many cardiac diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes the heart to become dangerously large and is among the leading cause of death in Australians under 40. Unfortunately, the bigger the heart gets, the greater the chance a patient will suffer sudden cardiac death. The key to preventing the disease is diagnosis before symptoms develop. In 2019, Prof Hool’s team made an exciting double breakthrough. The group was the first to discover that a calcium channel can regulate energetics and Prof Hool with her son at his graduation that by targeting this calcium channel with a specific medication it can prevent the disease from developing. “We achieved this using a mouse model. Over five weeks we administered the medication at-Large in WA, where she has found the research Cardiovascular Research Alliance in 2019. The excellence of her research has also been and we were able to prevent the disease from opportunities are particularly unique. Representing all cardiovascular researchers in the recognised by many accolades. Recently she progressing altogether.” State, it aims to increase public awareness of the was presented with the prestigious Research “Cardiovascular healthcare delivery is as good burden of cardiovascular disease and advocates for Achievement Award from the International on the west coast as the east, but we are in a increased funding for heart research. Society for Heart Research. In 2019 she was also very unique geographical situation.” She adds, recipient of the RT Hall Prize from the Cardiac “Western Australia is stunning. Our State is huge “Previously we had no identity. No voice. We Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). with a pristine coastline and remote communities.” could not represent the needs of cardiovascular It is the most prestigious research award from the researchers in WA at a national level or leverage Perth is the most isolated city in the world and Society and recognises sustained and outstanding funds from national grant bodies without this “ due to the sheer size of the State, the delivery of research achievement. The impact of this discovery alliance. The support has been overwhelming healthcare to remote regions presents challenges. and warmly welcomed by the universities, other “When I first moved to WA all of those years is enormous. We now have the “We know that patients in remote regions are institutes, hospitals and the business community.” ago, I’d always hoped my research would make a potential to stop the disease 40% more likely to die from a heart attack difference. To be honoured in this way was a true Livia’s leadership has also extended to and twice as likely to be hospitalised. The local career highlight for me.” from progressing before international roles. She has just completed two healthcare system needs to be able to respond terms as President of the International Society for There’s no doubt leadership in heart research is in symptoms develop and we rapidly to a patient having a heart attack on a Heart Research where she established policies on Livia’s blood and it is pumping through the heart could also reduce the risk of cattle station in the Pilbara as well as service a education and training particularly for early career of the State. sprawling urban population such as Perth.” patients dying from sudden researchers, and advocated for increased funds for A strong advocate for medical research in cardiovascular scientists in Australia. cardiac arrest.” WA, Livia established the Western Australian 42 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 43

Clinical Faculty Honorary Faculty

A/Prof Cameron Holloway Prof Oliver Freidrich A/Prof Jane McCrohon Prof Matthias Hentze Dr James Otton Prof Ahsan Husain A/Prof Jacob Sevastos Dr Lawrence Lee A/Prof Rajesh Subbiah Dr Ming Li Prof David Martin Prof Andras Nagy Research Prof Soren-Peter Olsen Dr W. Andrew Owens Divisions Prof Thomas Preiss

1 2 3 4 5 6

Cardiac Physiology Developmental Molecular Cardiology Molecular, Structural and Vascular Victor Chang and Transplantation and Stem Cell Biology and Biophysics Computational Biology Biology Cardiac Research Institute Innovation Centre Macdonald Laboratory Harvey Laboratory Graham Laboratory Giannoulatou Laboratory Stocker Laboratory • Heart transplantation • Heart development • Cardiac regeneration • Bioinformatics • Atherosclerosis Prof Sally Dunwoodie • Donor heart preservation • Congenital heart disease • Heart failure • Cardio genomics • Heart attack Director • New heart failure treatments • Heart stem cells & regeneration • Hypertension • DNA analysis • Stroke Dr Adam Hill Hayward Laboratory Dunwoodie Laboratory Vandenberg Laboratory Stewart Laboratory Deputy Director • Heart failure • Congenital heart disease • Arrhythmias • Protein structure • Left ventricular mechanical • Embryonic development • Electrical activity in the heart • Cryo-electron microscopy Johanna Barclay support devices • Birth defects Manager Hill Laboratory Wong Laboratory Feneley Laboratory Kikuchi Laboratory • Drug-induced arrhythmias • Gene regulation A/Prof Mark Hodson • Cardiomyopathy • Heart muscle regeneration • Computational cardiology • Genome evolution Metabolomics Laboratory • Heart attack • Heart failure • Genomics and Bioinformatics Fatkin Laboratory Dr Ashish Mehta • Ischemic heart disease Winlaw Laboratory • Dilated cardiomyopathy iPSC and Phenotyping Research Laboratory Keogh Laboratory • Congenital heart disease • Atrial ﬁbrillation • Pulmonary hypertension • Genetic analysis • Inherited heart disease • Heart failure Martinac Laboratory • Immunosuppression • Ion channels in the heart Muller Laboratory • Mechanical forces • Structural heart disease Hool Laboratory • Valvular heart problems • Cardiomyopathy Jabbour Laboratory • Heart failure associated • Heart transplant rejection with muscular dystrophy • Magnetic resonance imaging Smith Laboratory • Hypertension • Pharmacology 44 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 45

Innovation Centre

Preclinical Imaging Facility Equipped with state-of-the-art PET-MRI and CT technology for assessing the structure and function of the heart in conditions such as cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, and myocardial-infarction cardiac damage.

Micro Imaging Facility Specialises in 3D imaging with systems for observing living cells under a Investing in multitude of conditions.

Metabolomics Facility the future Boasting cutting edge mass spectrometry systems which provide insight into the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. These instruments will pave the way for precision medicine. The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Innovation Centre, supported Cardiovascular Stem Cell Production Facility Featuring the most advanced robotics technology and stem cell expertise by the NSW Government, has been fully for scientists to study cells from hundreds of patients. established this year and is now poised to make NSW a hub of excellence in cardiovascular disease research. Cell Function & Screening Facility A high-tech hub that allows researchers to perform electrophysiology, cellular ﬂuorescence and metabolism recordings, as well as cardiac cell The Innovation Centre is contractility in living cells. supported by a team of world- class experts who will work Clinical Imaging Facility with researchers to tackle the Housing Australia’s ﬁrst dedicated cardiac imaging research hub, critical questions and drive new at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney. discoveries for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Cryo-electron Microscopy Facility This facility is home to one of the world’s most powerful microscopes for imaging frozen, atomic-sized molecules in 3D, enabling researchers to lead the way in biological electron microscopy. 46 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 47

Hearts and Minds Investments Limited (HM1.AX) was established and subsequently listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in November 2018 with the dual purpose of providing investors with a portfolio of outstanding investment opportunities while giving considerable funding to a range of Sohn Hearts & Minds Australian medical research institutes. The fund draws ideas from leading global fund managers, and the Victor Chang Cardiac Investment Leaders Research Institute is very fortunate to have been selected as a beneficiary of their expertise and generosity. Conference The HM1 portfolio invests in the high conviction stock recommendations from the annual Sohn Hearts & Minds Investment Leaders Conference, and from a group of core managers - Caledonia The Sohn Hearts & Minds Investments, Cooper Investors, Magellan Investment Leaders Financial Group, Paradice Investment Management, Regal Funds Management Conference returned to the and TDM Growth Partners who generously donate their services together Sydney Opera House after with the brokers. being held in Melbourne in The top performing conference stocks in ¢. the 2019 portfolio were DocuSign Inc, PagSeguro and New Oriental Education, which delivered the Fund returns of 82%, To accommodate 72% and 59% respectively. Overall, HM1 overwhelming demand performed strongly in its first full year, delivering a return of approximately 32% for tickets the conference Hosted by comedian and mathematician Adam This conference once again delivered a surprise to shareholders. This resulted in a donation Spencer, the blue-chip line up of local and global element with a special performance from Daryl of $2.1million to the Victor Chang Cardiac was live streamed to fund managers shared their top investment tip Braithwaite. Sohn Hearts & Minds Investment Research Institute for 2019. the Playhouse from the with the aim of generating superior returns for Leaders Conference 2019 raised over $2million which medical research in Australia. The extraordinary was distributed amongst 11 beneficiaries which Drama Theatre for the line up of international experts was headlined by; included the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, MS Research Australia, Murdoch Children’s Research • Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates (USA) first time. Once again, this Institute, Black Dog Institute, Charlie Teo Foundation, • Marcus Bihler, Builders Union (UK) MND Australia, Brain Cancer Collective, JDRF world class event enabled • Robert Kapito, Blackrock (USA) Australia, Shake it Up Australia Foundation, Save the • Howard Marks, Oaktree Capital (USA) Australia’s fund management Children and Support Act Ltd. Local masters included Hamish Douglass, community to hear from the Fundamental to the success of the conference is the Magellan; Emma Fisher, Airlie Funds Management; continuing generous support of our major partners, Jun Bei Liu, Tribeca Investment Partners; and Nick biggest stars in the industry the Commonwealth Bank and the Paul Ramsay Griffiths, Munro Partners, just to name a few. from around the world. Foundation for which we are extremely grateful. 48 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE48 IMPACT REPORT 2019 49

Results Statement Heart of Income and Expenditure Health , Checks free heart health checks conducted

2019 2018 , For the year ended 31 December $ $ people had one or more results outside of the healthy range Income Research grants 14,360,866 13,797,156 Donations and fundraising 4,849,970 8,722,7251 Investment and other income 1,817,932 1,674,158 The Heart Health Check service, ¡ Total income 21,028,768 24,194,039 operated by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, travels of people tested had high right across the country testing cholesterol Expenses Australians for the key modifiable Research expenses 15,973,141 15,119,422 risk factors of heart disease. Administration expenses 6,722,409 6,264,770 ¡ Fundraising expenses 1,921,968 1,637,115 Total expenses 24,617,518 23,021,307 of people tested had high blood sugar Operating (Deficit)/Surplus (3,588,750) 1,172,732 Features of the Heart Health Checks include; Non operating income/(expenses) Innovation Centre grant 1,015,299 3,589,482 • On-the-spot test Depreciation on Innovation Centre equipment (1,384,968) (1,051,798) results in minutes Qualified nurses Gain/(loss) on revaluation financial assets 2,632,254 (630,067)

• Staffed by qualified nurses Net (Deficit)/Surplus for the year (1,326,165) 3,080,349 1. Donations and fundraising activities includes a major bequest in 2018. • Fully mobile and portable Comparative figures have been adjusted to conform with changes in presentation for the current year. different locations The above is an extract from the 2019 audited Financial Statements. The extract does not include the information normally included in the financial statement. Accordingly, this extract is to be read in conjunction with the audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2019. The Heart Health Checks is generously supported by HCF and IMB Community Foundation. To book the Heart Health Check service for your next community or corporate event please contact Jayne on days of testing (02) 9295 8760 or [email protected] 50 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 51

4 6 Achievements and Awards

8 9

2 3 5

Sydney Cardiovascular Victor Chang Cardiac Scientiﬁc Accolades Symposium Prizes PhD’s Awarded Research Institute Awards

Prof Sally Dunwoodie Dr David Humphreys 1 Dr Jeanette Villanueva 3 Dr Celine Santiago 5 Dr Ann-Kristin Altekoester 8 Dr Kathryn Wolhuter 9 Top Ranked Project Grant (2018) Professional Bioinformatician Award Best Basic Science Poster Rising Star Award University of Cologne (Germany) Winner NHMRC Australian Bioinformatics and Transplant Society of Australia and Paul Korner Seminar Series Dr Chris Stanley 6 Dr Weiyu Chen Computational Biology Society New Zealand Fellow of the Australian Academy Rising Star Award UNSW Sydney Dr Sarah Scheuer 9 Dr Renee Johnson 2 Dr James Walshe Student Prize of Health and Medical Sciences Dr Alexander Ward Genetics Prize Early Career Researcher Travel Paul Korner Seminar Series Prof Livia Hool Best EMCR Presentation Cardiac Society Australia and New Scholarship RT Hall Prize Dr Amy Nicks 9 Zealand Australian Society for Biochemistry Dr Justin Szot 7 Cardiac Society Australia and New People’s Choice Award and Molecular Best Non-Student Poster Zealand Dr Carus Lau Paul Korner Seminar Series Travel Award Dr Alexander Ward 4 Dr Jeanette Villanueva Research Achievement Award Duane Chapman Lorne Conference Best Postdoctoral Talk Best Non-Student Poster International Society for Heart Executive Director’s Award NSW ANZSCDB Research Dr Ralph Patrick Best Postdoc Poster Early Career Researcher Travel Dr Chris Anthony Stem Cells Australia Annual Retreat Scholarship President’s Prize Early/Mid Career Research Award Young Investigator Award Dr Stacey Peters NIH CVBE Conference Transplant Society of Australia and Margaret Henderson Women in Research Fellowship New Zealand Geoff Wong Royal Melbourne Hospital Finalist, Samuel A. Levine Young Dr Aude Dorison Dr Celine Santiago Clinical Investigator Award Best Postdoc Poster Young Investigator Travel Award American Heart Association Best Pitch Prize International Society for Heart Stem Cells Australia Annual Retreat Research 52 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 53

3 NOVEMBER 2019 EASTER 2019 Fundraising Events Royal Easter Des Renford Show Charity Charity Gala Steer Auction Day

Now in its 19th year the annual Congratulations to Schute Bell Des Renford Charity Gala Day Badgery Lumby on the 21st continues to be a wonderful 22 MARCH 2019 Anniversary of the Royal Easter success. Our heartfelt thanks to Show Charity Steer Auction. Michael and Vanessa Renford, Our sincere thanks to Paul Ferry Guests at the Women Against Heart Disease Lunch Randwick City Council, event who purchased the steer and 20 JUNE 2019 The Bay Soiree sponsors and the wonderful who generously donated the team of volunteers without In partnership with proceeds to the Victor Chang whom the event would not be Watsons Bay Boutique Cardiac Research Institute for Women Against Hotel possible. the 11th consecutive year. Heart Disease Congratulations also to the Total raised: $43,000 Players at the Glen Carling Memorial Golf Classic 17 AUGUST 2019 Lunch This event is hosted by our Young students from Murrumburrah Appeals Committee, ably lead High School who raised the In partnership with 624kg Angus steer. Commonwealth by Jonathan Henry (Chair), Joel 20 NOVEMBER 2019 Heart of the Private Bank Barbuto, Tim Barrett, James Total raised: $27,500 West Camilleri, Marcus Chang, Daniela Elser, Vanessa Gilbert, Alex Hart, The annual lunch highlights the The Glen “Spiffy” Paula Hitchcock, Laura Jayes, Caity We are very grateful to Club risks of heart disease in women. McLoughlin, Simon Raftery, Gavin Marconi for hosting the annual We are very grateful to Liza Carling Memorial Rubinstein and Justine Schoﬁeld. Heart of the West Charity Stern, a SCAD heart attack Golf Classic Our sincerest thanks to Fraser Short Ball. Thank you to Vince Foti, survivor for kindly sharing her and the team at the Watsons Bay President and Tony Zappia, story with our guests. A huge Our warmest thanks to Gemma Carling Boutique Hotel for their continuing CEO for their ongoing support thanks also to our wonderful and the Carling family for hosting the 6th support of this unique event. of the Victor Chang Cardiac MC, Sunrise presenter Edwina Research Institute. Bartholomew. charity golf day which is held in memory Total raised: $130,000 of Glen Carling. More than 60 keen golfers Total raised: $63,000 Total raised: $61,000 attended the event at Lakeside Golf Club Guests at the Women Against Camden. Heart Disease Lunch Total raised: $18,000

The Bay Soiree hosts, Tom Williams and Alex Hart 54 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 55

Waislitz Family Foundation Dymon Asia Capital; (Singapore) Pte Ltd Navarra Venues Supporters and Discoverers Wilson Asset Management Mr Geoff Davis Oakville Produce Group Ms Lynn Yager Mrs Louise Di Francesco Ms Sylvia O’Cass Acknowledgments Alceon Group Pty Ltd The Estate of Marjorie Grace Lawn Eastern Suburbs Leagues Club Origin Energy AMP Foundation Charitable Trust The Estate of Valerie J. Ronayne Mr Ian Elliot P & M Quality Smallgoods Pty Ltd Auscap Asset Management The Estate of Eric A. Harrison Mr Bruce Fink Paceline Inc Mr Leonard Ainsworth The Estate of Joy Hulda M. Kinghorn Mr Lars Erik Frankfelt Pan MacMillan Australia P/L Australian Innovation Association The Estate of Allan Ernest Nicolas Tackaberry Mr Christopher Flynn Pengana Capital Group Our life-saving research would not be possible without Bing Lee Electronics The Estate of Thaddeus S. Schbilski Ms Kathleen M. Gaeta Perpetual Limited the generous commitment of our valued supporters. Burns Philp Foundation The Estate of Bob Henry De Groot Mr Scott Gibbons Perpetual Trustees Caledonia (Private) Investments Pty Limited The Estate of John C. Baker Mr David Gyngell PwC Australia Challenger Group Services The Estate of Annette Geraldine Van Dop Goodyer Real Estate R T Hall Trust Club Marconi The Estate of Ralph E. Carrick Greencape Partners Mr Mark Reardon CM & JA Whitehouse Foundation The Estate of June Lillian Teb-Pitt Greencliff Realty Pty Ltd Mr Patrick Regan Mr Alf Costa The Estate of Jennifer Goodhew Hawkesbury Race Club Mr Michael Renford Gerry & Suzanne Commerford The Estate of Margaret Knight Ms Kim Harding Res Publica Pty Limited Alan & Barbara Crawford The Estate of Marjorie Grace Lawn Ms Ena May Harries Ralph Johns Pty Ltd Cooper Investors Pty Ltd The Estate of Douglas Arthur Westerland Henry H Roth Charitable Found Ms Jessie Ritchie These categories represent cumulative Consolidated Press Holdings Ltd Elsie Cameron Foundation The Estate of Rex Owen Banks Ms Kristiane Herrmann Mr Alistair Ross philanthropic support received over Crown Resorts Foundation Ms Patricia Dawn-New The Estate of Jane J Holland Hume Partners Pty Ltd Rotary Club of Dubbo South Inc The Estate of Moira A. Marlin Heartbeat of Football Mr Denis Richmond the past 10 years. Douglass Family Ernst & Young Mrs Barbara M Ell, OAM Mr Paul Ferry The Estate of Marjorie Grace Lawn IMB Limited Sanitarium The Freedman Foundation Glen Carling Golf Day The Estate of Paul and Jennifer Korner Mr John Ingram Mr John Sevior The Estate of William A. Bell Mr Kerry James, AM Mr Gordon Selig Inghams Enterprises Pty Limited Goldman Sachs Australia Services The Estate of Rose H. O’Keefe JP Morgan Speed & Stracey Lawyers Lowy Family Professor Robert Graham, AO The Estate of May Lillian Perkin Kerry Ingredients Australia Pty Ltd Scentre Group Limited Magellan Asset Management Limited Gray Family Foundation Robert M Graham HCF The Estate of Patricia M. Evans Mr John Kennedy Mr Philip Small NSW Government High Pass Holdings Pty Ltd The Estate of Maureen M. Virgona Krispy Kreme Donuts Schute Bell Badgery Lumby Chair of Medicine, The Lady Fairfax Charitable Trust Ms Jessica Hore Landerer & Co Secure Parking UNSW The Lowy Foundation Mr Ralph Keyes Lanyon Asset Management Ms Marie Spies Oatley Family Mr John Kean, OAM Lewin Foundation Mr David Shmith Ritchie Family Le Montage Partners Lin Huddleston Charitable Foundation Ms Alice Styles The Douglass Family David & Diana Ritchie Lew Foundation Mr John Laws Mr Peter Stokes The Simon Lee Foundation Simon Lee Foundation Mr Tony Littlemore Mr John Leece, AM Ms Valerie Taylor Airlie Funds Management The Lowy Family Macquarie Group Foundation Ms Audrey Lois Lee Tarkett Australia Pty Ltd Sohn Hearts & Minds Investment Leaders Appliances Online The Oatley Family Conference Mr Matthew Grounds, AM Mr Marcus Laithwaite TDM Foundation Ardea Investment Management The Ritchie Family MCK Foundation Mr Trevor Loewensohn Terra Capital Management Westﬁeld Holdings Limited Ariadne Australia Limited The Johnson Family Mineral Resources Limited Mr Tom Lyons Terrace Tower Group The Estate of Ian Norman Australian News Channel The Vidor Family Munro Partner Mr Geoffrey E. Marshall Mr Tony Tesoriero The Estate of Ilze M. Baltins AW Edwards Pty Ltd The Gutman Family Neilson Foundation Macquarie Group Limited Trazoy Pty Ltd Ms Lenore Adamson Mr & Mrs Jacob & Enis Mamutil PAF Mandalay Mr Robert Mactier The Dick and Pip Smith Foundation Balnaves Foundation Pty Limited The Selig Family Priceline Pty Ltd Manikay Partners The Sky Foundation BlackRock Mr Matthew Grounds, AM Randwick City Council Manildra Flour Mills Pty Ltd The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation BMW Australia Mr David Gyngell Director’s Lab Regal Funds Management Manildra Group The Wales Family Foundation Pty Limited Capital Investment Partners Mr Richard Elmslie & Ms Leslie Tilly Mr Richard Elmslie & Mrs Leslie Tilly Master Management Pty Limited Thorney Investment Group Carla Zampatti Foundation Mr & Mrs Paul & Valerie Ferry Road Runner Mobile Tyres Mr Mark Mezrani Mr Alden Toevs Commonwealth Bank Mrs Ann L Chang Mr Stephen Johns RW Ingham, AO Mr Chris Mackay UBS Australasia Mr David Craig Mr Marcus Chang Navarra Venues Seven Group Holdings Mr Ian Macoun Unilever Australia Limited De Groot Industries Pty Limited Mr William Chalk Mr John Kean, OAM Steve & Linda Harker Mr Angelo Maggiotto WCL Management Pty Ltd Goldenland Australia Property Pty Ltd Mr Matthew Comyn Swiss Re Life & Health Aust. Mr Jeffrey Mahemoff Wesfarmers Limited Mr Mark Johnson, AO Mr Peter R. Crossings Talston Pty Ltd Mrs Susan Maple-Brown, AM Weswal Gallery Cafe The Key Foundation ClearView Wealth Ltd The Ainsworth Foundation McDonald Jones Homes Foundation Pty Limited Mr Chris Williams Paradice Family Foundation Commercial Projects Pty Limited The Gutman Family Mersquad Investments Pty Limited Mr Simon Wilkenfeld Chairman’s Lab Mr Ervin Vidor, AM Crawford’s Casting The Mostyn Family Foundation Ms Hazel V. McGee Mr Robert Whyte The Estate of Nancy M. Roberts RJ Crawford The Proﬁeld Foundation Ord Minnett Woods Foundation ANZ Banking Group Ltd The Estate of Thomas W. Martindale Cue & Co Pty Ltd The RA Gale Foundation Montgomery Investment Management Mr Albert Wong, AM Aqualand Projects The Estate of Tatiana Suslov Mr Denis Cleary, AM Mr Tim Roberts Morgan Stanley Wealth Management The Estate of Margaret Fay Cruttenden The Estate of Thelma R. Tagg Ms Evelyn Chan Balmoral Pastoral Pty Ltd Ms Jennie Thomas, AM Mr Wayne Morris The Estate of Alfred Ewart G. Morris Ms Kathleen T. Cronin Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation Tribeca Investments Ms Audrey F. Nancarrow The Estate of Audrey F. Nancarrow Frank & Adele Cutrupi Citigroup UBS Foundation Mr Mark Nelson The Estate of Ausilio Confalonieri Deutsche Bank AG Commonwealth Bank VGI Partners Pty Ltd Mr G Belgiorno-Nettis, AM The Estate of Carma Passaris 56 VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2019 57

The Estate of Daphne Muriel Redman Mr Mark Ryan (2012) The Estate of Dorothy May K. Diamond Board Members Virgin Airlines (2012) The Estate of Elizabeth Adamson Mr Terry McCabe (2012) The Estate of Elizabeth M. Purnell Mr Matthew Grounds, AM, Chairman HCF (2012) The Estate of George J. Davis Mr David Craig, Deputy Chairman Craig Marshall (2013) The Estate of Grace S. Hall Mr Peter Allen Randwick City Council (2013) The Estate of Hazel V. McGee Professor Terry Campbell, AM Sharlene Melville (2013) The Estate of Kathleen M. Gaeta Mrs Louise Di Francesco KIA Motors Australia Pty Ltd (2013) The Estate of Kathleen T. Cronin Mrs Jennifer Doubell, OAM Ryan Stokes(2013) The Estate of Kevin Marcus McGuinness Mr Hamish Douglass Ms Mimi Wong (2014) The Estate of Marjorie Grace Lawn Professor Leslie Field, AM Mr Michael Renford (2014) The Estate of Mary Elizabeth Corlis Mr Angelos Frangopoulos, AM Proﬁeld Foundation (2014) Support Life-Saving The Estate of Maureen Tyrrell Professor Robert Graham, AO Peter Hession (2015) The Estate of Patricia Barringer Mr John Kean, OAM Ruth Zukerman (2016) Heart Research The Estate of Peter Charles Coghlan Mr Shangjin (Jin) Lin Patti Chong (2016) The Estate of Peter Powell Ms Annabel Spring IMB Community Foundation (2017) The Estate of Peter W. Dixon Dr Gary Weiss, AM The Estate of Rex Morriss The Estate of Roland Roberts One of the most life-changing ways you can The Estate of Ronald White Life Governors make a difference is to support research into The Estate of Rose H. O’Keefe Life Members The Estate of Shirley Margaret Corder heart disease. The Estate of Shirley Margaret Corder Mr Frank Lowy, AC (2000) The Estate of Theodora Zaxarias Panaretos Ms Fiona Coote, AM Mr Steven Lowy, AM (2001) With your help, our researchers can discover The Estate of Theodora Zaxarias Panaretos Mr David Craig The Late Mr Robert Oatley, AO, BEM (2001) The Estate of Una Margaret Biddle Mrs Barbara Ell, OAM Mr James Packer (2005) better ways of diagnosing, treating and The Estate of Una Margaret Biddle Mr Guy Fowler The Atlantic Philanthropies (2007) ultimately preventing heart disease. The Estate of Walter B. Ziemba Sister Anthea Groves, OAM Mrs Roslyn Packer, AO (2009) Mr Kerry James, AM Mr John Kean, OAM Mr John McGuigan Donate to Australia’s home Honoraray Life Finance & Risk of heart research today Commitee Governor Ambassadors Mr David Craig (Chair) Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary Mr Matthew Grounds, AM Mr John Laws, CBE (2001) of Denmark Professor Robert Graham, AO The Late Ms Amana Finley (2001) Mr John Kean, OAM Victor Chang Cardiac Mr Ken Laing, AM ( 2001) Dr Gary Weiss The Late Mr Alan David (2002) Research Institute Crane Group Lmited (2002) Patrons Steve Costi Seafoods (2003) Lowy Packer Building Crestbrook Mountain Springs (2003) 405 Liverpool Street Baker & McKenzie (2004) Young Appeals Mrs Ann Chang Darlinghurst NSW 2010 Schute Bell Badgery Lumby (2005) Australia Mr Steven Lowy, AM Mr & Mrs David & Diana Ritchie (2005) Committee For more information or to show your Mr & Mrs Scott & Rhonda Gibbons (2006) T (+61) 02 9295 8600 Mr & Mrs Russell & Julieanne Cooper (2007) Mr Jonathan Henry, Chairman support today, please call Mr & Mrs John & Margaret Ingram (2007) Mr Joel Barbuto E [email protected] Mr & Mrs Ralph & Lorraine Keyes (2008) Past Patrons Mr Timothy Barrett 1300 842 867 www.victorchang.edu.au Guiness Peat Pty Ltd (2008) Mr James Camilleri Mr Cameron Irving (2009) Mr Marcus Chang or visit www.victorchang.edu.au @VictorChangInst The Late Mr Kerry Packer, AC Deutsche Bank (2009) Ms Daniela Elser The Late Hon Neville Wran, AC, QC Club Marconi (2009) Ms Vanessa Gilbert LK Jewellery (2009) Mr Alex Hart Mr Steve Quinn (2011) Ms Paula Hitchcock Cobram Estate (2011) Ms Laura Jayes Ms Anne-Marie Allgrove (2011) Ms Caity McLoughlin United Airlines (2011) Mr Simon Raftery Mrs Michele Parker (2012) Mr Gavin Rubinstein Ms Emma Quick (2012) Ms Justine Schoﬁeld Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute ABN 61 068 363 235 Lowy Packer Building 405 Liverpool Street Darlinghurst NSW 2010 Australia COVER: Changing of the Guard. Professor Bob Graham pictured with incoming Executive Director Professor Jason Kovacic T (+61) 02 9295 8600 1300 842 867 Proudly printed by IVE www.victorchang.edu.au Design by The Garden Agency